Water worlds in the Milky Way How do planets get their water? Scientists are looking for evidence in light from white dwarfs.
A planet enters the last phase of its death spiral into the white dwarf it has been orbiting. For some years, the resulting debris cloud will change the…
Balloons offer an affordable way to climb high above Earth’s atmosphere, providing a clear view of space that’s inaccessible to ground-based telescopes.
The recent episodes of jet fighters shooting down spy balloons has everyone talking about how they can be used for surveillance. But if anyone had bothered to ask…
Global telescope creates exquisite map of black hole’s swirling magnetic field
The Event Horizon Telescope’s newest images of M87’s supermassive black hole hint at how its jets are fired far into space. The magnetic field around M87’s supermassive black…
Experience the Wonder of Migration at the National Zoo’s New Bird House
. One standout feature of the renovated Bird House at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is the chance for close-up, interactive experiences (above: a cedar…
The Oldest Odin Inscription in the World Found in the Vindelev treasure
Scientists have identified the earliest known inscription referring to the Norse god Odin on part of a gold disc unearthed in the Vindelev treasure found by two amateur archaeologists…
Cosmic-Ray Muons Reveal Hidden Structure in Khufu’s Pyramid
Khufu’s Pyramid is one of the largest archaeological monuments all over the world, which still holds many mysteries. In 2016 and 2017, the ScanPyramids team reported on several discoveries of previously…
Hairy Black Holes Explain Hawking’s Paradox, Physicists Claim
The signature feature of black holes is that they are black — objects which fall into the hole can no longer be seen and can no longer influence…
Physicist Says There’s a Small Chance You’ll Wake Up On Mars Tomorrow Due to Quantum Physics
Theoretical physicist Michio Kaku says he often gives his students a particular thought experiment: to calculate the probability that they wake up on Mars tomorrow, due to the…
Rare singing, emerald green and iridescent blue hummingbird unexpectedly rediscovered in Colombia
New sighting of lost Santa Marta Sabrewing gives conservationists hope for the Critically Endangered species. An experienced local birdwatcher in Colombia rediscovered the Santa Marta Sabrewing Campylopterus phainopeplus, a relatively large…
Black-capped Chickadees are cute, endearing, and amazing
Two Black-capped Chickadees meet on a branch. The familiar species is found year-round from Alaska to Newfoundland and from north- western California to the southern Appalachians and northeastern…
Breakthrough Starshot: A voyage to the stars within our lifetimes
Using laser-propelled lightsails, tiny spacecraft could venture to the Sun’s nearest neighborin just a few decades. IKAROS, seen in this artist’s concept, proved solar sails work in space…
The Horsehead Nebula in Orion: An unbridled look
The Horsehead Nebula has captured the public’s attention like few other celestial objects. And though its history is fascinating, it’s also mysterious. The Horsehead Nebula and the Flame…